WHAT A MONTH!

RACE CAR DRIVING, BIRTHDAY PARTY, AND THEFT.
What do these things have in common? They were all part of the Harrison's January 2009.

RACE CAR DRIVING
At the beginning of the month my hubby got to redeem his Christmas gift from me (no...not that). I registered him for the Richard Petty driving experience at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He had to go to the orientation first to learn all of the rules and regulations and expectations. He then got to get in a 600 horsepower NASCAR style stock car and race around the track for 8 laps. It was a fun few hours for all of us. I have never seen my husband on such a great adrenaline high. I think short of giving him a tree that actually could grow money...it was the best possible gift I could have given him.
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The entrance to the track!


Suited up and ready to go!


Walking over to his race car...it's time!


gentlemen...start your engines!!!


crossing the finish!


The race car champ and his 3 prizes!

BIRTHDAY PARTY
My first born turned 11 on January 17th. OH MY HOW TIME FLIES! Jeffrey had four boys come over for pizza, cake, hot tub, video games, and slumber party...AND...breakfast and skate park the next day. Needless to say it was about 24 hours of no sleep. They had a great time. I could go on and on about the things, events, and mishaps that made it not such a great party for ME... but then I need to remind myself that it wasn't for or about me...so I'll spare those of you who haven't heard it already. My son is eleven. ELEVEN YEARS OLD. I thought adults used to sound so ridiculous when I was little when they sighed "I'm so old".... Now I'm one of them. I am so thankful for Jeffrey. What an amazing kid. He has such a good sense of humor and wit...and he's always up for whatever kind of adventure presents itself. I love his confidence and kindness...and his ability to have fun with people from ages 1 to 100. He truly amazes me. He is such a blessing in my life.



This is my jaundiced baby Jeffrey the day we took him home from the hospital.


And this is my handsome little man now. (photo by Jessie Baldwin)



This is Jeffrey and his party peeps! Pizza time!


PRESENTS!!!!!


The eleven-year-old rendition of "Happy Birthday" may be one of my new favorites.


I let the boys have free reign of the family room where they played the WII and wrestled into the wee hours of the morning.


and...the girls and I had girly time upstairs in my room.

curlers, movies, and nail polish! We were good to go.


THEFT:
Last weekend Jeffrey was riding his bike with his friends around the neighborhood as usual...they like to go in search of jumps...or architecture that they can turn into jumps. He was with our next door neighbor, Austin, a couple of blocks away from our house. He and Austin were approached by 3 older (18 or 19) guys wearing baggy clothes. Two of them had bikes and one did not. They began to talk to Jeffrey and Austin asking them where the "cool" places to ride were... They asked Austin if they could see his bike and Austin let them. They rode it for a minute or two and gave it back. Austin then told Jeffrey, "Jeffrey, let them see your bike"...and then he went a few feet away to jump down a set of stairs. Hesitant in his heart, Jeffrey let them. That was the last time he saw his bike. They immediately rode off...and left Jeffrey screaming in horror with the reality of losing his most prized possession. Michael was on the scene within 3 to 5 minutes...but it was too late. Michael, our neighbors, and I drove around the surrounding neighborhoods for the next hour hoping to find the thieves. No luck. The police report has been filled out. The statement has been taken. At the end of the day I pulled Jeffrey close to me and held him in my arms...I closed my eyes because they started to burn with tears and quietly thanked God that He protected my son. I hate that he had to have an experience like that and unfortunately it will be one that he will never forget. I don't allow the thoughts that are tapping at the door of my mind of what could have happened to him.